Printable bandage

ABSTRACT

A printable bandage system including a non-stick sheet and at least one bandage removably secured to the non-stick sheet. The bandage includes a printable portion configured to receive the printing of an image thereon.

THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to bandages and in particular toprintable bandages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The entertainment industry has spread its reach to virtuallyevery aspect of life. Previously mundane objects such as bandages nowbear graphic images such as Mickey Mouse® characters from Disney®.Decorated bandages are fun for kids and can help kids overcome fear anddiscomfort associated with an injury covered by the decorated bandages.However, large media conglomerates, in cooperation with bandagemanufacturing companies, exclusively control which images are carried onthe bandages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a printablebandage system which includes a non-stick sheet and at least one bandageremovably secured to the non-stick sheet. The bandage includes aprintable portion configured to receive the printing of an imagethereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sheet of printable bandages, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

[0005]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG. 1 as taken along lines 2-2,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0006]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a bandage printing system, according toan embodiment of the present invention.

[0007]FIG. 4 is an alternative sectional view of FIG. 1 as taken alonglines 2--2, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008]FIG. 5 is a plan view of a sheet of printable bandages, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 6 is a sectional view of FIG. 5 as taken along lines 6-6,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 7 is a sectional view of FIG. 5 as taken along lines 7-7,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 8 is a plan view of a sheet of printable bandages, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 9 is a sectional view of FIG. 8 as taken along lines 9-9,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 10 is a sectional view of FIG. 8 as taken along lines 10-10,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 11 is a plan view of a sheet of printable bandages, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 12 is a sectional view of FIG. 11 as taken along lines 12-12,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 13 is a plan view of a sheet of printable bandages, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 14 is a sectional view of FIG. 13 as taken along lines 14-14,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] In the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form apart hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural orlogical changes may be made without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is notto be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present inventionis defined by the appended claims.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, printable bandage system 20 includes sheet 22and a plurality of bandages 24. Each bandage 24 includes graphic image26 as a decoration on bandage 24. Sheet 22 is divided into separableportions 28 by perforations 30. Bandages 24 are aligned on sheet 22 in asuitable arrangement to permit printing of graphic images 26 on bandages24 as sheet 22 is fed through a printer. Graphic images 26 are notlimited to the images shown in FIG. 1, but rather include any graphicimage capable of being rendered and produced by a printer onto a sheetsuch as sheet 22 bearing bandages 24. After printing, one or morebandages 24 can be peelingly removed from sheet 22 for use to cover awound.

[0020]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of bandage 24 and a portion of sheet 22in FIG. 1 as taken along lines 2-2. As shown in FIG. 2, bandage 24includes protective backing 40 having non-adhesive side 41 and adhesiveside 42, pad 44, graphic image 46. Sheet 22 includes nonstick surface 50and optional adhesive portion 52. Backing 40 preferably includes anytype of backing, fabric, or material suitable for use in bandages, inwhich all or part of backing 40 is flexible, semi-flexible, and/orrigid. Adhesive side 42 preferably includes a pressure sensitiveadhesive applied to backing 40. Non-adhesive side 41 of bandage 24includes a printable material that is suitable for receiving graphicimage 46 from a printer, such as an ink jet printer, laser printer, orother type of printer capable of printing images on sheets. Theprintable material may comprise all or part of non-adhesive side 41.

[0021] Pad 44 preferably includes any pad used in bandages such as agauze-like material, whether absorbent or non-absorbent, and that issecured to backing 40.

[0022] Non-stick surface 50 of sheet 22 preferably is made from anon-stick coating so that upon application of adhesive side 42 ofbandage 24, bandage 24 is releasably secured to non-stick surface 50 ofsheet 22. This arrangement permits bandage 24 to be peeled off fromsheet 22 when desired. Optional adhesive portion 52 is provided on sheet22 when it is desired to removably secure pad 44 against sheet 22.However, this is not normally necessary because bandage 24 typically issufficiently secured with adhesive side 42 against sheet 22.

[0023]FIG. 3 illustrates a bandage printing system 31 of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 3, sheet 22 having unprinted bandages 24 isfed into printer 32. Using an operating system 34 and/or applicationprogram 35 of personal computer 36, printer 32 is commanded to printimage 26 onto sheet 22 in printer 32. Accordingly, printer 32 uses sheet22 for the target of the printing job, and prints image 26 onto bandages24 at the proper locations. Printer 32, operating system 34, and/orapplication program 35 includes driver 36 or other software containingthe appropriate templates 36 to target printing of images 26 to theproper location on sheets 22 of printable bandages 24.

[0024] After printing images onto bandages 24, printer 32 ejects sheet22 with printed bandages 24 from printer 32. Next, at a desired time,the consumer peelingly removes one or more bandages 24 from sheet 22 forplacement on a wound. Since the printed image 26 is on non-adhesive side41 of each bandage 24, upon application of bandage 24 to a wound,bandage 24 will display printed image 26.

[0025] With the exception of copyrighted material, a consumer hasunlimited freedom to print virtually any image 26 onto the bandages.With advent of digital photography, consumer could even print images 26such as photographs of family, places, pets, etc. onto bandages. Thiscould personalize bandages to bear an image 26 (such as a photo) of thewearer of bandage as well as an image 26 of a mother or father of thewearer of bandage.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, system 20 optionally includes nonstick sheetseparator 60 having two opposed non-stick surfaces 62. Sheet 50 furtherincludes adhesive portion 64 sized to correspond to size of sheetseparator 60. Separator 60 optionally is inserted between sheet 22 andbandage 24 so that bandage 24 can be removed from sheet 22 withseparator 60 on bandage 24 so that separator 60 provides a protectivematerial over pad 44 and adhesive side 42 of bandage 24. Thisarrangement protects bandage 24 for use until a later time, whilepermitting removal of bandage 24 from sheet 22 after printing image 26on bandage 24.

[0027]FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention inwhich cover 80 sealingly covers at least a portion of bandage(s) 72 tomaintain sterility and/or cleanliness of bandages 72 before, during, andafter printing. As shown in FIG. 5, system 70 includes sheet 71 and aplurality of bandages 72 with each bandage 72 including pad 74 andgraphic image 76. Sheet 71 and bandages 72 have substantially the samefeatures and attributes as sheet 22 and bandages 24, as previouslydescribed in association with FIGS. 1-4. For example, bandage 72includes non-adhesive side 77 and adhesive side 78, and sheet 71includes perforations 73. Perforations 73 allow separation of portions75 of sheet 71 so that each bandage 72 can be removed with itsassociated portion of sheet 71 without disturbing other bandages 72 onthat sheet 71.

[0028] System 70 further comprises cover 80 including body 82 and seams84. Cover 80 conveniently extends in a strip across all pads 74 ofbandages 72. Cover 80 is provided for sealing pad 74 of bandages 72 fromunwanted elements such as dust, germs, etc. In addition, cover 80protects pad 74 and maintains the sterility of bandages 72 duringprinting of images 76 onto bandages 72 as sheet 71 passes through aprinter. Cover 80 includes the same perforations 73 shown in sheet 71 sothat each bandage 72 with sheet 71 and its portion of cover 80 can beseparated from other bandages 72 for individual use.

[0029]FIG. 6 is sectional view of FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 6, seams 84extend along non-adhesive side 77 of bandage 72 on opposite sides of pad74. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 7, seams 84extend along opposite sides of edge 79 of bandage 72. Accordingly, pad74 of each bandage 72 is protected by cover 80 sealed by seams 84against both sheet 71 and non-adhesive sides 77 of bandages 72.

[0030] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate another embodiment of the present inventionincluding a cover 110. As shown in FIG. 8, system 100 includes sheet 102and a plurality of bandages 104 (shown in phantom in FIG. 8). Eachbandage 104 includes graphic image 106 and outer edge 108. Sheet 102 andbandages 104 have substantially the same features and attributes assheet 22 and bandages 24, and sheet 71 and bandages 72, as previouslydescribed in association with FIGS. 1-4, and 5-7, respectively. Forexample, bandage 104 includes non-adhesive side 117 and adhesive side118 (FIG. 9-10).

[0031] Cover 110 includes body 111, outer edge 112 and inner edge 114.Cover 110 is positioned over edge 108 of bandage 104 to seal edge 108 ofbandage 104. Inner edge 114 defines aperture 116 so that non-adhesiveside 117 of bandage 104 is partially exposed to receive printing ofimage 106 on bandage 104. Image 106 can be placed anywhere along theexposed portions of non-adhesive side 117.

[0032] Bandages 104 are further illustrated in FIG. 9, which is asection view of bandage 104 of FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 9, at oppositeends of bandage 104, outer edge 112 of cover 110 is removably secured asa sealed seam against sheet 102 and inner edge 114 of cover 110 isremovably secured as a sealed seam against non-adhesive side 117 ofbandage 104. As shown in FIG. 10, outer edge 112 of cover 110 is alsoremovably secured as a sealed seam against sheet 102 and inner edge 114of cover 110 is also removably secured as a sealed seam againstnon-adhesive side 117 of bandage 104. This combination of sealed seamsdefined by inner edge 114 and outer edge 112 of cover 110 effectivelyseals edge 108 of bandage 104 against sheet 102, thereby protectingbandage 104, particularly pad 119, from intrusion of germs, dust, etc.At the same time, aperture 116 of cover 110 permits printing of images106 onto partially exposed non-adhesive side 117 of bandage 104 whensystem 100 is fed through a printer for printing images 106 ontobandage(s) 104.

[0033] FIGS. 11-12 illustrate printable bandage system 150 of thepresent invention including cover 160. As shown in FIG. 11, printablebandage system 150 includes sheet 152, at least one bandage 154 (shownin phantom in FIG. 11), and cover 160. Bandage 154 includes pad 155,printed graphic image 156, and edge 158. Sheet 152 and bandages 154 havesubstantially the same features and attributes as sheet 22 and bandages24, sheet 71 and bandages 72, and sheet 102 and bandages 104, aspreviously described in association with FIGS. 1-10. For example,bandage 154 includes non-adhesive side 157 and adhesive side 159 (FIGS.11-12).

[0034] Cover 160 includes body 161, outer edge 162, and inner edge 164.Inner edge 164 defines aperture 166. Cover 160 has substantially thesame features and attributes as cover 110, as previously described inassociation with FIGS. 8-10. However, cover 160 includes a pair ofapertures 166 instead of a single aperture 116, as in cover 110. In thisembodiment, cover 160 extends over both edge 158 of bandage 154 anddirectly over pad 155 of bandage 154. This leaves the remainder ofbandage 154, commonly known as securing strips, exposed as a printableportion to receive printing of image 156 from a printer, such as printer32.

[0035] Bandage 154 is further illustrated in FIG. 12, which is asectional view of FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 11, at opposite ends ofbandage 154, outer edge 162 of cover 160 is removably secured as asealed seam against sheet 152 and inner edge 164 of cover 160 isremovably secured as sealed seam against non-adhesive side 157 ofbandage 154. This combination of sealed seams defined by inner edge 164and outer edge 162 of cover 160 effectively seals edge 158 of bandage154 against sheet 152, thereby protecting bandage 154, particularly pad155, from intrusion of germs, dust, etc.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 13-14, printable bandage system 180 of thepresent invention includes sheet 182 and at least one bandage 184 (shownin phantom in FIG. 13) including pad 185, printed graphic image 186 andedge 188. Cover 190 includes body 191, outer edge 192, and inner edge194 defining aperture 196. Cover 190 has substantially the same featuresand attributes as covers 110 and 160, as previously described inassociation with FIGS. 8-12. However, cover 190 includes single aperture196, as cover 110 has single aperture 116. In this embodiment, cover 190extends over edge 188 and the edges of pad 185 of bandage 184. Aperture196 leaves an area of non-adhesive side 187 of bandage 184, whichcorresponds to the location of pad 185, exposed as a printable portionto receive printing of image 186 from a printer.

[0037]FIG. 14 is a sectional view of bandage system 180 of FIG. 13. Asshown in FIG. 14, outer edge 192 of cover 190 is removably secured as asealed seam against sheet 182 and inner edge 194 of cover 190 isremovably secured as a sealed seam against non-adhesive side 187 ofbandage 184. This combination of sealed seams defined by inner edge 194and outer edge 192 of cover 190 effectively seals edge 188 of bandage184 against sheet 182, thereby protecting bandage 184 from intrusion ofgerms, dust, etc.

[0038] A system and method for printing images on bandages has numerousadvantageous features. Foremost, one can print any desired image on abandage by feeding a sheet of bandages through a printer. The consumeris no longer limited to purchasing bandages with previously printedimages, such as Mickey Mouse® characters, from a retail store. Rather,the consumer can print any custom graphic image of their choosing on oneor more bandages. In addition, the sheet of printable bandages includesan optional protective cover for maintaining the sterility and/orcleanliness of the bandages before, during, and after printing of theimages on the bandages. The protective cover can alternatively cover theedges of bandages, the pad, the non-adhesive backing portions of thebandages, or any combination thereof, so that a desired portion of thebandage is exposed for printing of the images on the bandage whilecovering other portions of the bandage.

[0039] While specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein for purposes of description of the preferred embodiment, it willbe appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide varietyof alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted forthe specific embodiments shown and described without departing from thescope of the present invention. Those with skill in the chemical,mechanical, electromechanical, electrical, and computer arts willreadily appreciate that the present invention may be implemented in avery wide variety of embodiments. This application is intended to coverany adaptations or variations of the preferred embodiments discussedherein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention belimited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A printable bandage system comprising: anon-stick sheet; and at least one bandage removably secured to thenon-stick sheet, the bandage having a printable portion configured toreceive the printing of an image thereon.
 2. The bandage system of claim1 wherein the at least one bandage comprises a first adhesive side and asecond non-adhesive side, the first adhesive side including a pad andbeing removably secured to the non-stick sheet and the secondnon-adhesive side including the printable portion.
 3. The bandage systemof claim 2 wherein the at least one bandage has an outer edge andfurther comprising: a protective cover sealed over an edge of thebandage.
 4. The bandage system of claim 3 wherein the protective covercomprises a body, an inner edge and an outer edge with the inner edgeremovably sealed against the bandage, the body extending over the edgeof the bandage, and the outer edge removable sealed against thenon-stick sheet.
 5. The bandage system of claim 1 wherein the sheetincludes a plurality of separable portions joined by perforated seamsand having at least one bandage removable secured to each separableportion of the sheet.
 6. A printable bandage comprising: a firstadhesive side including a pad; and a second non-adhesive side includinga printable portion configured for receiving printed ink images.
 7. Abandage cover comprising: a body having a first edge configured forsealing against a sheet and a second edge against a bandage, being sizedand adapted for sealingly covering at least a portion of a bandagebetween the first and second edges of the cover.
 8. The bandage cover ofclaim 7 wherein the first edge is an outer edge and the second edge isan inner edge which defines an aperture to partially expose a portion ofthe bandage within the aperture.
 9. The bandage cover of claim 7 whereinthe body forms a strip and the first edge defines portions of the stripforming sealing seams against the sheet and the second edge definesportions of the strip forming sealing seams against the bandage.
 10. Amethod of printing images on a bandage, the method comprising: removablysecuring at least one bandage onto a sheet; inserting the sheet with thebandage into a printer; and printing an image on the bandage.
 11. Themethod of claim 10 wherein removably securing at least one bandagecomprises: providing the bandage with at least one pressure sensitiveadhesive surface and at least one absorbent surface; providing the firstsheet with at least one non-stick surface; and pressing the pressuresensitive adhesive surface of the bandage to the non-stick surface ofthe sheet to secure the bandage to the sheet.
 12. The method of claim 10and further comprising: sealing at least a portion of the bandagebetween a cover and the sheet.
 13. The method of claim 12 whereinsealing at least a portion comprises: sealing each edge of the bandagebetween the cover and the sheet.
 14. The method of claim 10 and furthercomprising: covering at least a portion of the bandage on the sheetprior to inserting the bandages into the printer.
 15. The method ofclaim 10 wherein printing an image comprises: selecting a template ofimage printing; and directing printing of the image onto the at leastone bandage with the selected template of image printing
 16. A method ofdecorating a bandage comprising: providing a bandage; and printing animage on the bandage with a printer.
 17. The method of claim 16 andfurther comprising: covering at least a first portion of the bandage,before printing the image, leaving a second portion of the bandagepartially exposed to receive the printing of the image.
 18. The methodof claim 16 wherein printing an image further comprises: selecting atemplate of image printing to direct placement of the images on thebandages.
 19. A printable bandage driver comprising: at least onetemplate configured to print a pattern of images on a sheet of bandages.20. The driver of claim 19 and further comprising at least one of: anapplication program including the at least one template; an operatingsystem including the at least one template; and a printer driverincluding the at least one template.
 21. A computer-readable mediumhaving computer-executable instructions for performing a method ofprinting images on a bandage, the method comprising: removably securingat least one bandage onto a sheet; inserting the sheet with the bandageinto a printer; and printing an image on the bandage.
 22. The medium ofclaim 21 wherein removably securing at least one bandage comprises:providing the bandage with at least one pressure sensitive adhesivesurface and at least one absorbent surface; providing the first sheetwith at least one non-stick surface; and pressing the pressure sensitiveadhesive surface of the bandage to the non-stick surface of the sheet tosecure the bandage to the sheet.
 23. The medium of claim 21 and furthercomprising: sealing at least a portion of the bandage between a coverand the sheet.
 24. The medium of claim 23 wherein sealing at least aportion comprises: sealing each edge of the bandage between the coversheet and the first sheet.
 25. The medium of claim 21 and furthercomprising: covering at least a portion of the bandage on the sheetprior to inserting the bandages into the printer.
 26. The method ofclaim 21 wherein printing an image comprises: selecting a template ofimage printing; and directing printing of the image onto the at leastone bandage with the selected template of image printing
 27. Acomputer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions forperforming a method of decorating a bandage, the method comprising:providing a bandage; and printing an image on the bandage with aprinter.
 28. The medium of claim 27 and further comprising: covering atleast a first portion of the bandage, before printing the image, leavinga second portion of the bandage partially exposed to receive theprinting of the image.
 29. The medium of claim 27 wherein printing animage further comprises: printing an image further comprises: selectinga template of image printing to direct placement of the images on thebandages.